Centerboard control device



y 7, 1964 M. BONE 3,139,851

CENTERBOARD CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

MIROSLAV BONE AT TO R NEYS July 7, 1964 M. BONE 3,139,851

CENTERBOARD CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

INVEN'TOR.

MIROSLAV BONE ATTORNEYS United States Patent O15 ice Patented July 7, 1964 3,139,851 CENTERBOARD CONTROL DEVICE Miroslav Bone, 3430 W. 109th St., Cleveland, Ohio Filed Apr. 11, 1962, Ser. No. 187,170 8 Claims. (Cl. 114132) This invention relates to a centerboard control device. More particularly, this invention relates to a device for raising or lowering the centerboard of a boat.

Many sailboats are provided with a centerboard which is a broad board or similar device set in a well or trunk amidships and which may be pivoted at its forward lower corner. The centerboard may be lowered to provide the hull with increased stability and lateral resistance, the latter being to prevent leeway or lateral movement of the boat to the leeward of her course, especially when sailing on the wind. The centerboard is raised into the well or trunk when the boat is sailing in shoal waters to reduce the draft or before the wind to lessen resistance.

In many instances it is desirable or, in fact, necessary to raise or lower the centerboard rapidly for proper handling and maneuvering of the boat. Heretofore, boats provided with a centerboard have used a block and tackle or winch arrangement, acting against the weight of the board to raise it to whatever position was desired to counterbalance the lateral vector of the force of the wind on the sails. The centerboard was lowered by providing slack in the line holding it in a raised position, relying upon gravity to pull the centerboard out of its well or trunk. Due to the lateral forces acting on the board, it frequently becomes jammed or cocked in the well either in a raised or lowered position and it would be necessary to kick or hammer the top of the board to lower it or exert an unreasonable amount of force on the block and tackle or winch arrangement to raise the centerboard, lufiing the boat into irons (or nearly so) and thereby losing way in order to relieve the pressure on the board. Furthermore, since the block and tackle or pulley arrangement did not provide for a positive control over the centerboard but merely served as a means for raising the centerboard, capsized boats were frequently damaged by the centerboard. Thus, upon capsizing, the conventionally controlled centerboard can swing back into and smash the trunk.

The conventional centerboard line is'usually snubbed to a cleat located amidships. In the case of smaller racing boats in which it is necessary to have the crew member (or members) and/or the skipper hike to the windward when the boat is hard on the wind or on a close reach, adjustment of the board requires at least one member of the crew to shift his weight more nearly amidships, thereby disturbing the balance of the boat. To avoid capsizing, especially in moderate to heavy weather, the skipper anticipates (or should anticipate) such change in balance by pinching the boat; this can be an expensive maneuver in a closely contested race where a loss of a few inches may actually cost boat lengths due to rights lost at a mark.

Thus, the operation of a centerboard by conventional means is not only arduous and time consuming but also involves elements of danger. In many instances, it is necessary to raise or lower the centerboard quickly when the boat is entering or leaving shoal water to avoid damage to the board and/ or the boat. In racing, it is highly desirable to be able to operate the centerboard quickly and with a minimum of operations when changing between free and windward courses; this usually occurs during tacking and jibbing at a mark, when the crew has its hands full in handling sheets, shifting Weight, setting or dousing the spinnaker, etc., and the skipper, who, in smaller boats, may also be handling the main sheet, must be alert to the rights of his own boat and the competition in close quarters and ready to take offensive or defensive maneuvers that are desirable or necessary. Likewise, it is necessary to lower the centerboard quickly when leaving shoal Waters to sail on the Wind or when the course is changed from one Where the vessel is sailing before the wind to one where the vessel is sailing on the wind. Thus, rapid manipulation of the centerboard is not only highly desirable during racing competition, but can be necessary for safe and proper navigation in all types of sailing.

The present invention relates to a device for quickly and easily raising and lowering the centerboard of a sailing vessel. The device includes a novel winching mechanism that provides a positive control to the centerboard from either side of the boat, and that will quickly adjust the centerboard to any desired position, all without the necessity of cleating and indicating lines or finding, inserting, removing, and stowing the removable winch handle used in many instances. In fact, a very appealing advantage of this invention is that it eliminates lines, winch handles, cleats and other conventional gear that can either clutter a boat or constitute projections which can be painful when struck during the excitement of maneuvers. Gear made according to this invention is located in accessible but otherwise out-of-the-way places in the boat, making the cockpit more usable.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a device which will overcome the above deficiencies of the prior art control devices and which will control the position of a centerboard in a convenient and safe manner.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partly schematic perspective view of a sailing vessel, looking at the vessel from the starboard quarter, showing a centerboard and a centerboard control mechanism mounted therein according to this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken from the plane of the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1..

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly broken away for clarity, of another type centerboard that may be controlled by the mechanism according to this invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG- URE l, a Y-Flier scow 10 is schematically illustrated. The scow 10 has a centerboard 11 positioned amidships in a well or trunk 12. The centerboard 11 is shown in a raised position within the trunk 12 and is pivoted to the trunk 12 at its forward lower corner at a pivot point 13 so that it may be swung out of the trunk 12 to provide the hull with increased lateral resistance and stability.

The centerboard control device according to this inven tion includes a Windlass comprising a winding shaft 14 having sheaves 15 fixedly mounted adjacent either end of the shaft 14. The ends of the shaft 14 extend beyond the sheaves 15 and are each mounted in a hanger strap 16. The center portion of the shaft 14 is rotatably sup ported by a bracket 17. Each hanger strap 16 and the bracket 17 are bolted to a forward frame member 18 of the vessels hull. As is shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, the inner surface of each strap 16 is provided with a nylon friction bearing 19. The compressive force that each friction bearing 19 exerts on the shaft 14 is regulated by bolts 20 which extend through each strap 16.

The shaft 14 may be rotated in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction against the force exerted on the shaft 14 by the bearings 19 by port and starboard pull cords 21 and 22, respectively. The forward end of the pull cords 21 and 22 are each wound one and one half times around the sheaves 15 and the after end of the cords 21 and 22 are looped around port and starboard spring loaded tension pulleys 23 and 24-, respectively. The pulleys 23 and 24 are each fixedly secured to an after end frame member 25. A multiplicity of holes 26, some of which are shown in FIGURE 2, may be drilled into each sheave 15 to prevent slippage between the pull cords 21 and 22 and the sheaves 15.

As is shown in FIGURE 1, a centerboard raising line or wire 27 is wound around the port side of the winding shaft 14 and is fixed at the other end to one end of a pin 28 which extends horizontally through the centerboard 11. A centerboard lowering line or wire 29 is wound around the starboard side of the winding shaft 14 is a direction which is opposite to the direction of winding of the wire 27. The lowering wire 29 is threaded around a guide pulley 30, which is fixed to the trunk 12 at a position rearwardly of the pivot point 13, and is fixedly secured to the other end of the pin 28. Spiral grooves (not shown) may be provided on the shaft 14 to insure proper winding and unwinding of the wires on the shaft 14.

Thus, in FIGURE 1, if the sheaves 15 are rotated in a clockwise direction by pulling the lower strand of either the port or starboard cord 21 and 22 in a rearward direction, the shaft 14 will turn in a clockwise direction and wind the wire 29 around the shaft. This clockwise movement of the shaft 14 will also unwind the reversely wound wire 27 from the shaft 14-. As the wire 29 is wound on the shaft 14 it will exert a force on the pin 28 in the direction of the pulley 30, thus causing the centerboard 11 to rotate about its pivot point 13 and be lowered from the trunk 12. For each increment that the wire 29 is wound on the shaft, the wire 27 will be unwound a corresponding increment. Thus, the centerboard 11 may be immediately raised from any lowered position by pulling the top strand of either the port or starboard cord 21 or 22 in a rearward direction. This will impart a counterclockwise rotational movement to the sheaves 15 and to the shaft 14 and this movement will wind the Wire 27 on the shaft. This counterclockwise movement of the shaft 14 will also unwind the reversely wound wire 29 from the shaft 14.

The pin 28 also serves to limit the downward movement of the centerboard 11 by abutting the upper surface of the trunk 12. The centerboard 11 may be permanently held in a raised position by removing the wire 29 from the pin 28 and attaching a securing line (not shown) to the pin 28 and to the frame member 18.

The wires 27 and 29 are maintained under constant tension by spring loaded pulleys 31 which exert a downward force on the wires 27 and 29. Thus, any slack that may occur in the wires 27 and 29 as a result of the movement of the centerboard 11 will be taken up by the pulleys 31.

The invention is not limited to a control device for a pivoted centerboard. Many centerboards in use today are not pivoted or otherwise fixed to the well or trunk. Referring to FIGURE 3, a centerboard 11a is illustrated which rests in a well or trunk 12a. The centerboard 11a is supported in a raised position by a bottom slide board 32 which extends from the forward end of the trunk 12a and terminates short of the after end of the trunk at a lip 33 to provide a space through which the centerboard may be lowered into the water. In a raised position, the centerboard 11a rests on the slide board 32 so that the center of gravity CG of the centerboard is located on a vertical line which passes through the board 32 and is forward of the lip 33.

The control device for the centerboard 11a is exactly the same as the device previously described and controls the centerboard 11a in substantially the same manner. Thus, in FIGURE 3, wires 27a and 29a correspond to the wires 2'7 and 29, respectively, which are shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The wires 27a and 29a are wound on and unwound from the shaft 14 in the same manner as the wires 27 and 29. As the wire 29a is wound on the shaft 14 it will exert a force on a pin 28a in the direction of a pulley 30a, thus causing the centerboard 11a to slide rearwardly along the board 32. When the center of gravity CG of the centerboard passes a point directly above the lip 33, the centerboard will tilt and extend through the opening in the bottom of trunk 12a. The centerboard 11a will begin to slide downward along the lip 33 and assume the position shown in phantom outline in FIGURE 3, but this movement will be positively controlled at all times by the wire 27a which is unwound from the shaft 14 in increments that correspond to the increments that the wire 29a is wound on the shaft.

The centerboards 11 and 11a will remain in any desired position since the bearings 19, when adjusted by the bolts 29, will exert a clamping force on the shaft 14 which is sufficient to overcome any torque exerted on the shaft by the wires 27, 27a, 29, and 2901. It will be appreciated that the clamping force exerted by the bearings 19 on the shaft 14 is adjusted so that the shaft may be conveniently rotated by the pull cords 21 and 22, respectively.

To further aid in the braking action exerted on the shaft 14 by the bearings 19 it is desirable, in some instances, to provide rubber blocks which bear against the shaft. Referring to FIGURE 1, a pair of rubber blocks 35 are fixedly mounted on a bracket 34 which, in turn, is fixedly secured to the framing member 18. The blocks 35 are preferably located in the region that the wires 27 and 29 are wound on the shaft 14, since, in this location, the blocks will also serve to keep the wires in the spiral grooves (not shown) which may be provided on the shaft 14.

In the light of the above teachings, many other modifications and variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the control device may be utilized to control the position of more than one board in the event that the vessel is provided with bilge boards. It is to be understood, therefore, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a centerboard positioned in a trunk of a boat, a centerboard control device comprising a first line fixedly secured to said centerboard and extending in a first direction substantially parallel to said centerboard toward one end of the boat, a second line fixedly secured to said centerboard and extending from said centerboard in a second substantially opposite direction substantially parallel to said centerboard toward the other end of the boat, guide means mounted on said trunk in said second direction, a winding shaft spaced from said centerboard and its trunk in said first direction, said first line being fixed to and wound around said shaft in a third direction and said second line being threaded around said guide means and fixed to and wound around said shaft in a fourth direction opposite said third direction, means for rotating said shaft, said rotating means including a sheave fixed to an end of said winding shaft and a cord wrapped around said sheave and around a pulley at the other end of the boat so that the cord extends along one side of the boat, whereby said centerboard will be alternately raised and lowered into and out of said trunk when said shaft is alternately rotated betwegn said third and fourth directions by pulling said cor 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said shaft is mounted for rotation within a friction bearing.

3. In combination with a centerboard connected at a pivot point to a trunk of a boat at a lower corner of said centerboard, a centerboard control device comprising a first line fixedly secured to said centerboard above said pivot point and extending in a first direction substantially parallel to said centerboard toward one end of the boat and displaced from said pivot point, a second line fixedly secured to said centerboard above said pivot point and extending from said centerboard in a second substantially opposite direction substantially parallel to said centerboard toward the other end of the boat and displaced from said pivot point, guide means mounted on said trunk and spaced from said pivot point in said second direction, a winding shaft spaced from said centerboard and its trunk in said first direction, said first line being fixed to and wound around said shaft in a third direction and said second line being threaded around said guide means and fixed to and wound around said shaft in a fourth direction opposite said third direction, means for rotating said shaft, said rotating means including a sheave fixed to an end of said winding shaft and a cord wrapped around said sheave and around a pulley at the other end of the boat so that the cord extends along one side of the boat, whereby said centerboard will be alternately rotated about said pivot point between a position wherein the centerboard is raised and a position wherein the centerboard is lowered when said shaft is alternately rotated between said third and fourth directions by pulling said cord.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said shaft is mounted for rotation within a friction bearing.

5. The centerboard control device according to claim 1 wherein said rotating means includes sheaves fixed to both ends of said winding shaft and a cord wrapped around each sheave and around a pulley at the other end of the boat so that the cord extends along both sides of the boat.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said shaft is mounted for rotation within a friction bearmg.

7. The centerboard control device according to claim 3, wherein said rotating means includes sheaves fixed to both ends of said winding shaft and a cord wrapped around each sheave and around a pulley at the other end of the boat so that the cord extends along both sides of the boat.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said shaft is mounted for rotation within a friction bearing.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 71,283 Corbett Nov. 26, 1867 613,409 Cowper Nov. 1, 1898 766,086 Whitehurst July 26, 1904 834,840 McLean Oct. 30, 1906 2,734,695 LeBus Feb. 14, 1956 2,845,892 Jorgenson Aug. 5, 1958 2,976,017 LeBus Mar. 21, 1961 2,982,539 Cameron May 2, 1961 2,991,749 Patterson July 11, 1961 2,993,464 Conover July 25, 1961 3,007,429 Sandman Nov. 7, 1961 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A CENTERBOARD POSITIONED IN A TRUNK OF A BOAT, A CENTERBOARD CONTROL DEVICE COMPRISING A FIRST LINE FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID CENTERBOARD AN EXTENDING IN A FIRST DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID CENTERBOARD TOWARD ONE END OF THE BOAT, A SECOND LINE FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID CENTERBOARD AND EXTENDING FROM SAID CENTERBOARD IN A SECOND SUBSTANTIALLY OPPOSITE DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID CENTERBOARD TOWARD THE OTHER END OF THE BOAT, GUIDE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID TRUNK IN SAID SECOND DIRECTION, A WINDING SHAFT SPACED FROM SAID CENTERBOARD AND ITS TRUNK IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION, SAID FIRST LINE BEING FIXED TO AND WOUND AROUND SAID SHAFT IN A THIRD DIRECTION AND SAID SECOND LINE BEING THREADED AROUND SAID GUIDE MEANS AND FIXED TO AND WOUND AROUND SAID SHAFT IN A FOURTH DIRECTION OPPOSITE SAID THIRD DIRECTION, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT, SAID ROTATING MEANS INCLUDING A SHEAVE FIXED TO AN END OF SAID WINDING SHAFT AND A CORD WRAPPED AROUND SAID SHEAVE AND AROUND A PULLEY AT THE OTHER END OF THE BOAT SO THAT THE CORD EXTENDS ALONG ONE SIDE OF THE BOAT, WHEREBY SAID CENTERBOARD WILL BE ALTERNATELY RAISED AND LOWERED INTO AND OUT OF SAID TRUNK WHEN SAID SHAFT IS ALTERNATELY ROTATED BETWEEN SAID THIRD AND FOURTH DIRECTIONS BY PULLING SAID CORD. 